Lack of fatty acids responsible for skin problems

A recent study has revealed that certain fatty acids are very essential for the health of skin.

The study was conducted by the researchers at the University of Illinois. The scientists conducted the study on a number of mice wherein an enzyme producing gene was knocked out. This gene eventually helped in the formation of arachidonic acid.
It was discovered that without the formation of arachidonic acid in the body, the mice developed chronic ulcerative dermatitis, as a result of which the mice became very itchy & scratched themselves which led to the development of bleeding wounds.

Arachidonic acids 've long been credited for functions to keep the skin healthy. These acids help in the development of lipids which tend to coat the skin’s outer layer, thus maintaining the water balance & energy.

“Knocking out a gene that enables the body to make the delta-6-desaturase enzyme has led to some surprising discoveries. In this instance, we learned that arachidonic acid is essential for healthy skin function. This new understanding may 've implications for treating the flaky, itchy skin that sometimes develops without an attributable cause in infants,” explained Manabu Nakamura, a professor of food science & human nutrition.